In-State Recruits Give LSU a Chance to Land Top 2026 Recruiting Class

Blaine Bradford - Safety

The LSU Secondary will see tons of turnover over the next few seasons with Sage Ryan, Jardin Gilbert, Major Burns, and JK Johnson all nearing the end of their eligibility. This makes 2026 safety Blaine Bradford an important recruit for Brian Kelly and his staff for rebuilding DBU. Bradford is the top safety in the 2026 recruiting class, the 14th-ranked player in the country, and the third-ranked player in Louisiana.

If LSU is going to get back to it's days of being DBU in college football, it starts with landing recruits like Bradford. Jake Olsen and Corey Raymond have a massive advantage in trying to keep Bradford in state as they try to hold off the Texas Longhorns.

Brysten Martinez - Offensive Tackle

After this season, the LSU Football team will be recruiting from a place where they no longer have Will Campbell and Emery Jones on the offensive line. Brysten Martinez will become a must-get for the LSU Tigers especially as he comes from in-state. Martinez is ranked as the 37th-ranked player in the country and the sixth-ranked offensive tackle in the country. Thus far, Martinez has 15 scholarship offers but, LSU appears to be in the lead early on.

Aiden Hall - Safety

Louisiana has yet another top 50 recruit in safety Aiden Hall who's a four-star recruit as the nation's 41st-ranked player and the fourth-ranked safety in the class. The Tigers have shown their interest in Aiden Hall early on as the Tigers offered Hall back in January of 2023. Hall has spoken about why he loves LSU and he said that the Tigers have made it clear that he's the top safety on their board.

Jabari Mack - Wide Receiver

As LSU continues to put wide receivers into the NFL at an unreal rate, they'll continue to be a top destination for receivers especially ones from Louisiana. That puts LSU in a great place to land four-star Jabari Mack who ranks as the ninth receiver in the class and the 67th ranked player in the country.

Working in LSU's favor is Bryce Underwood as Mack will have the chance to play two seasons with a quarterback with Heisman potential. The LSU Tigers will have to overcome Mississippi State who seemingly has the early lead on Mack. If LSU makes Mack a priority he'll likely land in Baton Rouge, he's gotten a taste of what playing with Underwood is like on Fleaux 7 on 7 and the relationships built with Underwood and Harlem Berry could be the difference.